When it comes to quality, character and value, Washington State wines go head to-head with the same varietals grown elsewhere in the world. This top wine picks section features 16 local Washington wines crafted in styles that compete with their European counterparts in Spain, Italy and France.
TEMPRANILLO » Try if you are a fan of robust Spanish style reds
Stottle Winery 2014 Six Prong Vineyard Tempranillo, $32
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Josh Stottlemyer crafted this complex and polished version, displaying cigar box, grilled plum, cherry, and a sheen of crushed rock inlaid with notes of espresso, vanilla and bits of clove. Well poised, with ample tannins and a bright beam of acidity on the spice-laden finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Grilled lamb, pork or venison, or Manchego cheese and a cigar!
Rolling Bay Winery 2016 Upland Vineyard Tempranillo, $39
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Sultry aromas and bold flavors of mesquite, grilled herbs, and red and black fruit glide steadily through the satiny mouthfeel, graced with lean yet firm tannins, finishing with intriguing nuances of coffee and caramel.
Vintner’s pairing: Cured meats such as speck prosciutto, split pea soup or BBQ flank steak
Longship Cellars 2016 Invader Tempranillo, $36
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Brooding with rich black plum, blackberry and cherry flavors backed by earthen spice layers of tobacco, pencil shavings, and espresso notes that plow deftly through this powerfully structured red. Laser focused, the robust tannins add muscle and length to the finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Beef curry, grilled pizza, grilled steaks, tapas, carne asada, baby-back ribs
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2014 Tempranillo, $39.99
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
With enticing aromas of dark chocolate, cherry and roasted coffee, this red is muscular and broad, with velvety tannins and deep, rich layers of black raspberry, black fruit, tobacco and hints of loamy earth. Spice notes fill the long finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Osso buco with smoked cheddar polenta and grilled broccolini
ITALIAN VARIETALS » Try if you love rustic yet fulfilling, hearty Italian style reds
Thurston Wolfe 2016 Primitivo, $25
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
This winery was the first to plant the varietal in the state, at the Zephyr Ridge Vineyard in 1997. Ripe and powerfully built, with luscious, boldly spiced flavors of Amarena cherry, dark plum and blackberry, generously layered with tobacco and dried sage on the extended finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Roasted leg of lamb with red onions and sour cherries
Chandler Reach Vineyards 2014 Parris Estate Reserve Sangiovese, $40
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Immaculately built, with aromas of red fruit, spice and graham cracker that reverberate on the palate. Streaks of graphite and loamy spice course through the dark cherry and plum-infused mid-palate, joined by subtle hints of caramel, vanilla bean and dried sage on the finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Mushroom risotto, pork osso buco or a classic meatball sub
Eye of the Needle Bellissimo Diavolo Walla Walla Valley, $50
Editor’s Choice – Extraordinary (95-100 pts.)
Elegant and well sculpted, with uplifting structure and notable plushly aerated mouthfeel, offering a seductive core of black cherry, cassis and licorice root with refined layers of dried strawberry, boysenberry and rose petal. The complex flavors gather on the long finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Grilled New York steak, pasta Bolognese, rack of lamb, or dark chocolate!
Leonetti Cellar 2015 Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley, $70
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Beautifully structured, with earthy rustic expressions of red and black fruit, tobacco leaf, leather, tar and a flickering of spice that flow seamlessly through well-burnished yet muscular tannins. Balanced with lively acidity that lend solid depth to the finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Veal Parmigiana or rigatoni with olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and black olives
RIESLING » Try if you appreciate crisp, dry to off-dry Alsatian style white wines
Tsillan Cellars 2016 Estate Riesling, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
The fruit for this version was sourced from their estate vineyard in the Lake Chelan AVA. Lush aromas of honeysuckle, citrus essence, and soft hints of baking spices lead to vibrant flavors of green apple, key lime and wet stone, with mouthwatering acidity and lemon zest notes on the juicy, off-dry finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Spicy pork, corned beef and Asian cuisine
Sagemoor 2016 Carving Blocks Dry Riesling, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Abundantly aromatic, with floral scents of white tree blossom, honeycomb, and citrus joined by flattering flavors of white peach, pear, limestone and hints of ginger. Starts crisp and juicy, turning creamy textured on the mid-palate. Finishes clean, dry and complex.
Vintner’s pairing: Chicken stew with olives and lemon, grilled halibut with lemon, capers and basil
Kennedy Shah Reserve 2015 Riesling, $25
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Winemaker Jean Claude Beck sourced the fruit from Angioline Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. Pure and crisp, this full-bodied white is marked with flattering flavors of dried mango, pineapple and limestone that swoon through the lush mouthfeel and race along the finish, joined by leesy spice.
Vintner’s pairing: Scallops with lemon butter sauce and puree de celery
Gard Vintners 2015 Riesling Grand Klasse Reserve, $26
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Inspired by grand cru French wines, Grand Klasse falls into their reserve-level program. Aromas of honeysuckle, citrus and warm spice are tempered with clean, refreshing flavors of lemon peel, lime blossom, white nectarine and apple skin that gather on the zesty, bone dry finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Thai, Indian and Vietnamese dishes or chevre on a toasted baguette
GSM (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre blends) » Try if you crave earthy, complex yet balanced Southern Rhône style reds
Three of Cups 2016 The 3rd Cup GSM, $35
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
This Syrah-dominant red uses fruit sourced from Riviere Galets Vineyard from The Rocks AVA and aged two years in French oak. Plush and lively, packing savory flavors of cured meat, black olive, iron and hints of blood orange, infused with bright cherry and pomegranate.
Vintner’s pairing: Charred octopus salad with green garbanzo beans, olives, frisee pickled onions
Adrice Wines 2016 The Alchemist GSM, $40
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Winemaker Pam Adkins conducted 13 different blending trials to achieve this elegant and refined GSM. Filled with rich red berries, plum, currants, wet stone and white pepper flavors that meld seamlessly into the smooth structure, broadening with expressive notes of cola, vanilla bean and floral hints.
Vintner’s pairing: Big full-flavored foods like red meats and game dishes; try mushroom and pepper sauces
Avennia 2016 Justine, $40
Editor’s Choice – Extraordinary (95-100 pts.)
Balance and structure are the hallmarks of this stellar red wine offering complex waves of rich black raspberry coulis and Italian Amarena cherry interwoven with peppercorn, juniper berry, fennel seed, dried herbs and flowering lavender. The finish is resoundingly deep and concentrated.
Vintner’s pairing: Braised chicken with red wine, orange zest and mushrooms, with polenta
Airfield Estates 2016 Michael L. Miller, $50
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
A tribute to the winery’s founder, this Syrah forward version is ultra-suave with a velvety mouthfeel and rich, dark expressions of blackberry and red plum, with intricate details of coffee bean, bits of tar and crushed rock. Spice and dried herb notes persist on the elegant finish.
Vintner’s pairing: Peppered rib-eye steak, pan seared venison or stuffed portabella mushrooms